VCU-RRTC Webcast

What Parents Need to Know About Community-Integrated Employment Cherie Takemoto Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC)

Objectives Understand key role parents play in helping people with disabilities find and keep jobs. Explore tension and growth when parents transition from key decision-makers to active supporters of self-determination.

Objectives Discuss challenges and opportunities of collaborating with families

PEATC Mission

PEATC Believes All children deserve opportunities to live, learn and participate fully in their communities. Families are children’s first and best teachers.

PEATC Believes Information and training enrich and empower families and professionals to build strong partnerships. Children with disabilities can achieve independence and make valuable contributions to society with the right supports.

PEATC Programs Information & Technical Support Outreach Advocacy

PEATC Programs Training Products & Publications Literacy, Research & IT

NEXT STEPS: The Transition Series Training for Parents & Professionals to: Help young adults transition from school to full community life Bring together parents, educators, adult service professionals, self advocates to train and learn

NEXT STEPS: The Transition Series Focus on transition, employment, community life, supports, planning for future, self-advocacy

Why Mothers Have a Tough Time If we are concerned, we are overprotective; if we are unconcerned we are neglectful. If we are involved, we are demanding; if we are not, we are detached.

Why Mothers Have a Tough Time If we have high expectations we are unrealistic; if we have simple aspirations we set our sights too low. If we nurture generously, we are smothering; if we nurture less we are withholding.

Why Mothers Have a Tough Time If we offer advice, we are controlling; if we refrain, we are disinterested. If we phone, write or visit often, we are pests; if we don't, we are uncaring.

Why Mothers Have a Tough Time If we help with tasks or give or loan money, we cultivate dependency; if we don't, we are unsupportive. Jordan Miller, MD Center for the Study of Women's Psychology From PACER Publication: Family as a Critical Partner

Myths Youth/Adults with disabilities should be the sole focus of intervention No need to involve the families Family involvement can only be gauged by attendance at meetings

Myths Parent tracking is okay Families have nothing to offer Involving families means involving mothers *adapted from American Youth Policy Forum’s No More Islands

Benefits of Family Involvement Reduced –Drop Outs –Risky Behavior –Use of Social Services –Illegal Drug Use –Juvenile Justice Involvement

Benefits of Family Involvement Increased –Attendance and Graduation Rates –College Participation –Employment –Salaries –Home Ownership –Second Car Ownership

Family Assets Lifetime consistency High expectations Understanding of culture, language and history Knowledge of child’s strengths and needs Cheerleaders

Family Employment Support Community and service system connections Knowledge of child’s strengths and needs Reinforcement and support of job attitudes/skills

Family Employment Support Safety net Job Retention Creative Problem Solving

Cultural Issues Differing perceptions of disabilities Self-Advocacy vs. Family Decision-making Understanding of Service Systems Potential vs. Possibilities

Cultural Issues Language Discrimination Cultural Competence of Providers

Support for Families Workforce Investment Act (WIA) involvement of families on State and Local Workforce Investment Boards Rehab Services Act –Services to families that allow individual to reach employment outcome –Representation on State Rehab Council

Support for Families IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act – emphasis on parent involvement

President’s Commission on Excellence in Special Education

Self-Advocacy Making own decisions Learning from mistakes Understanding interdependence

Family Tensions Growth Opportunities –Low Expectations –High Expectations –Loss of Control –Fear of Failure –Interdependence

What It Looks Like Families feel welcomed Clear two-way communication Professional development and staffing Families a part of service system

What It Looks Like Families as advisors Help navigate the service system maze Connect with cultural competence

Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center 6320 Augusta Drive – Suite 1200 Springfield, VA